TIFTON — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College students handed out bags filled with an assortment of grocery products and a semi-boneless ham Saturday, Nov. 18 as part of the annual Manna Drop.

Students handed out 450 meals on a first come first served basis at Charles Spencer Elementary School. Cars began lining up as early as 7 a.m. preparing for the gates to open at 9:30 a.m. By the time the gates opened, the line of cars was completely surrounding the school.

ABAC student Lane Riley is one of the student leaders who helped organized the event. The Manna Drop has been going on for five years, and the group of students who puts the event on every year are working on becoming a recognized organization on campus.

“We are not looking to be a club because we do not want to receive any money from the school,” Riley said. “We will continue to fundraise for this event by going to local businesses who support our cause.”

Students raised $8,000 towards feeding local families in need during Thanksgiving in this year’s Manna Drop.

ABAC professor Tom Grant is the advisor for the organization and has participated in the Manna Drop from the beginning.

“All I do is open the door to the classroom, and these students do the rest. They are the reason this event happens,” said Grant.

The students are responsible for planning, organizing, fundraising and everything else that goes into preparation for an event like this.

The term “manna” comes from the Bible. It refers to bread, or an edible substance.

ABAC clubs such as the Baptist Collegiate Ministries contributed volunteers to help serve food to families in need during

ABAC student Kelly Bertelson has participated in the Manna Drop for three years now.

“There are so many people that really do need the help, and they are so thankful for everything we do for them,” said Bergelson.

Publix has been helping the students for the past three years, and the students go to buy all the ham and goods that go into the bags from Publix.

The Manna Drop also purchased $900 worth of reusable bags. Publix charged the students $140 for them.

This was the first year participating for ABAC student Jack Jordan.

“This helps out people who may not have had as good of a Thanksgiving, and I am glad I could be a part of something that gives them a better one,” said Jordan.

If the Manna Drop did not have enough families to receive the food, the plan was to drive to Ocilla and hand out the food to anybody who wanted it. Fortunately, there was plenty of families that came by and received all the food the students had purchased. After all the food was gone, there were still cars lining up in hopes to receive the food donations.

The students responsible for the Manna Drop plan to continue the five-year tradition they have started. The students are currently working on writing a constitution and by-laws, so their group can become a recognized organization on campus next year.